First 10 Miles of DigIndy Tunnel System Now Open

12/29/2017

INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Energy Group announced today that the first 10 miles of the DigIndy Tunnel system have opened, marking a tremendous achievement for our environment, our economy and quality of life in our community.

The Deep Rock Tunnel Connector and the Eagle Creek Deep Tunnel, combined with previously completed expansions of the Belmont and Southport Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants, will prevent an additional 1 billion gallons of raw sewage from entering the White River and Eagle Creek annually across southern Marion County.

When the full 28-mile DigIndy Tunnel system is complete in 2025, about 99 percent of combined sewage will be prevented from entering all streams and the White River in Marion County, keeping Citizens and the City of Indianapolis in compliance with a federal Consent Decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Citizens President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison said, “Eliminating sewer overflows will protect human health and restore water quality in the White River and other area streams to levels not seen in more than 100 years. Cleaner rivers and streams will facilitate enhanced recreational opportunities for activities such as canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Cleaner waterways will also provide a significant boost to the city’s ongoing economic development and neighborhood revitalization efforts.”

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said, “Cleaner rivers and streams are an asset to the Indianapolis community, especially as we work to strengthen neighborhoods and invest in our residents’ quality of life. DigIndy is helping to spur investment in economic and community development all along the White River, as well create and support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.”

According to Mark Jacob, Citizens Vice President of Capital Programs & Engineering and Quality, the DigIndy Project is ahead of schedule and is now more than $400 million below the original budget thanks to Citizens’ focus on customer affordability, which continually evaluates the most efficient and effective way to serve customers.

DigIndy Work Will Close Meridian Street
As DigIndy project work continues, road closures will take place beginning next week. Meridian Street will close at 28th Street on or after January 2, 2018 and will remain closed through October 31, 2018. In addition, 28th Street will be closed from east of Illinois Street to Pennsylvania Street for that same time period. Detour routes will be clearly posted beginning at 30th Street from the north and Fall Creek Parkway from the south. More information about this work and the detours is available here.

Work in the area will include construction of two large sewers to capture and divert combined sewer overflows to the Fall Creek Tunnel, which will be complete by 2025. Citizens is coordinating the project with the Department of Public Works and IndyGo to limit disruptions.

About Citizens Energy Group

Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 800,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities only for the benefit of customers and the community. Additional information is available online at Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - YouTube